Twenty-seven more memberships in three days – that's all a group of Independence neighbors needs to reopen the YMCA pool on Marshall Road next week.

The outdoor pool, closed since 2008, was once an integral part of the community, first opened in 1979, said nearby neighbor and mother of two, Branden Roberts.

Her husband, Jason Roberts, spent a lot of his childhood there and was on staff when it was a full-service YMCA; but in recent years the branch of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati has only offered summer camp.

The couple and several of their neighbors hope to change that and revive the center – starting with the pool.

"One of the big things for me, as a parent, will be having a place for the kids to go during the summer," Branden Roberts said. "Mainly the only place we have in Independence is a roller skating rink. We want another safe place, that will eventually have other extracurricular activities like dance nights and swim events."

The membership drive continues through the weekend, including a sign-up event from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the YMCA, 10987 Marshall Road.

With fingers crossed that they can reach the goal of 100 family memberships (enough for the pool to break even) by Monday, the plan is to open that day at noon and then be open seven days a week from noon to 6 p.m. through the summer, said Todd Hensel, program director for Kenton and Campbell County YMCAs.

Memberships cost $200 per family for the summer and $125 per individual. Passes can be upgraded to work at pools across the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati association for $299 for a family and $199 for an individual, Hensel said.

Memberships can be purchased by calling the Campbell County YMCA branch, 859-781-1814.⬛